Dog Days

This is kind of the Hallmark version of Short Cuts. It has 4 interlocking comedic stories, two love and two about family. On their own the stories are pretty good, all a bit too formulaic and predictable. Together they add up to more than the sum of their parts. It's all just a little too pat and a little too sweet.

One of the things I really liked was none of the characters were unnecessary mean or cold. Even the antagonists were largely nice people. It was nice break for films like these where one story is usually overwrought melodrama. Sadly the stories don't fully integrate and the film drags a little at the end because of that.

But overall this is a charming droll comedy that has just enough freshness to be worthwhile. The director and cast keep it breezy, light and dogs are all very cute. Gertrude is the best.